Talk to me about Cumberland. (Frederick, Hagerstown: rentals, find a job, private school)

[JMadFour]

I'm a mid-30s black male. 1 child (12 y/o).

I grew up in PG County, I currently live in Charleston, WV.

was looking at moving up North to the Morgantown/Fairmont area in WV, but was also considering moving back to MD and Cumberland seems, at first glance, to be far more affordable than say, Hagerstown or Frederick.

My main concerns are Education, Cost of Living, and future region growth. I don't want to move someplace i can't afford, I don't want to move somewhere with poor schools, and I don't want to move someplace that everyone else is anxious to leave. you know?

thoughts?

[westsideboy]

Education - The schools in Maryland are typically pretty good. Allegany County (where Cumberland is located) tends to rank as middle to slightly below the middle of the pack. I can't offer much more than that as I went, and send my kids, to private school.

COL - Cheap. Much cheaper than Hagerstown or Frederick. I just looked and found some rentals (in some cases a whole house) in pretty good parts of town for around $500-$700 dollars.

Future Growth - We have been declining in population since 1950 and haven't turned the corner. Jobs are hard to find now, no real great prospects for a game changing employer locating in the area. We have a lot of community pride and stick together pretty well. There are people who complain about their lives, wish they lived somewhere else, but negative people are pretty easily avoided if you pick your social circle with a bit of care. Allegany County is a great place to live if you can find a job.